Ian Haley – Exclusive Interview

^{Life after the Worlds and the new WERKS - OCM Racing Team combination}

Two weeks before the Indonesia 2006 Worlds, renowned international driver Ian Haley resigned from Hong Nor and told Team Cobra Racing that he was leaving all sponsors citing he wanted to leave on good terms and needed a fresh start. All the sites around the world buzzed and quickly pasted the event across all types of media during the worlds and since that time we know he has joined with Ron Hopkins Werks Team which Ian is very happy about but many have still been wondering and speculating as to what Ian’s ride will be for 2007. People are also wondering what comes after the controversial wing design prior to the worlds with the Haley signature series in fact people are just plain wondering what Ian is up to full stop!

Well somehow RubedudeRC a little battler site has delivered the goods yet again and in this exclusive I speak one on one face to face openly with Ian and get the lowdown on what he is doing and what his thoughts are on several fronts. This interview was also partly due to the fact that on the specified day I had my interview with Theo Assa and the OCM Kaos, low and behold there is Ian Haley and another OCM bearing his monika on the side of the shell.

I must say what transpired that day will stay with me for quite sometime, here is Theo Assa, Ian Haley together testing the OCM along with Michael Zlotkowski and his RB powered X-Ray keeping the two honest. Mark DeBerard from Massive Mods also made a show as he knew I was coming down and decided to meet up and all in all it turned out to be a sensational day in what seemed ominously as a private practice session at the LRRCC Moorebank track.

Needless to say Ian been the straight cut nice bloke he is said g’day and I responded g’day Ian looks like I caught you out mate! Yes you did mate I flew back to do a little private testing before we hit off with OCM. Hence in a roar of Nitro fuel he quickly set the car down on pit lane revving ever so gently on the OS as he sped up the drivers stand then taking off like a silver bullet!! Theo after a few seconds joining him for a three buggy shoot out as Michael was already out there doing some laps.

^{Ian Haley with the new beautifully presented OCM racer}
 

At the end of the day after the smiles, laughs, videos and photos I was granted this interview with the man Ian Haley!

Rube: Ian thanks for taking the time to talk to RubedudeRC on behalf of myself and our readers.

Ian: (Smiles) no worries mate it’s a pleasure...

Rube: Ian I came down to the track today mate and by all intents and purposes it looks like I’ve caught you out here driving a second OCM here with the Ian Haley name on the buggy also carrying the WERKS logo and fitted with its tyres what’s the deal mate? (smiles)

Ian: (grins) Yes mate you have caught me out I just come out from WA at the end of the week to meet up with Theo and do some secret testing on the car, trying out new setups and tyre combinations with the Werks products at the Liverpool track. After driving the car for the last day and a bit I have decided that I like the car that much that I’m signing up with OCM!

^{Ian Haley on the track and at work on the OCM with some fine adjustments}

Rube: Wow that’s amazing! What was the deciding factor?

Ian: Well put simply, I believe in this car its definitely good on the track its fast it definitely has good speed and has more steering than I can cope with “Um” I also think the main reason I joined is Theo Assa and Didian Ho I have a lot of respect for those guy’s, gentlemen, professional, businessmen and this is what is important to me.

I want to make sure that this new deal is not a “flash in the pan” that its going to last a long time “um” yeah that’s what I’m after and yes testing today and you caught me out! (smiles)

^{Theo Assa, Ian Haley and Michael Zlotkowski on the stand and Ian flying with the new OCM}
 

Rube: I sure did!! Now Ian today I’ve seen you doing some remarkably tight driving and the car looks like its on rails, also noting that many people were impressed with Theo’s performance at the Proline with the OCM can you tell me more about this car and how you feel driving it?

Ian: “Ok um the car”, well I can only really compare it to the Mugen MBX-5R that I drove only last week at the Geraldton Cup and the Hong Nor that I’ve driven as a factory driver for the last year and a half. This car has beautiful suspension like the Mugen however to me generally the Mugen was an under steering car hard to turn but very consistent I might add.

With the Hong Nor its aggressive and a good steering car but consistency could sometimes be a problem, what I would say about this car the OCM is that it’s a positive combination of the two. It seems to have all the steering I can possibly cope with but importantly it has consistency as well, so yeah obviously I will have to get used to it and learn to set it up correctly working with Theo and the other drivers that he is planning on taking on board and hopefully we will get it to the front and quickly which I believe we will do!!
 

_{Theo Assa on the track and in the pits making adjustments}

Rube: Sounds like a very exciting season coming up then Ian, Now you’ve obviously signed up with team Werks and I see the buggy has the logo’s all over it and I must say those tyres today looked like they were in fact magnets on the track very impressed, can you tell us a bit about this deal Ian and the transition over from Cobra Racing and Hong Nor?

Ian: Um sure! Well basically after the world titles in Indonesia I decided that I would leave all of the sponsors, I had my time a change is as good as a holiday and all those cliché’s I suppose !! I had given Hong Nor notice of my decision two weeks before Indonesia and spoke with Angelo (Team Cobra) I also split with GO Technologies and had a lot of people question what I’m doing etc.. In short I just wanted a fresh start and straight after that I was approached by Ron Hopkins WERKS Racing Team and asked if I wanted to come on board and I accepted.

Ron is looking at breaking into the Asian markets, he knows I compete in Asia it’s my favourite place to race!

^{Ian takes the triples at LRRCC & Theo and Ian shaking on a strong partnership}

Rube: I’ve heard you’re a hit with the ladies over there mate!

Ian: (grins) Hey come on now!! (Laughs) nah we got to get over there and represent Werks with the aim of getting the name up in lights with some good promotion and make it a name synonymous with quality, which as you have seen it is!!

I really respect Ron he seems straight forward a real gentleman and their product is bloody good I must say!! I used the Lugs today these are the Lugs right here which are R200 Soft Compound, it’s worn out because I’ve been practicing hard as you’ve seen all day! But the R300 which is the hard compound I used at Geraldton and “WOW” virtually no tyre wear and massive grip and of course we won the race and my consistency was 0.5 seconds over a six minute run I don’t think I could have done much better than that!

^{Ian demonstrating the R300 Lugs hard compound used at Geraldton and the W's}

Rube: Yes I had heard that you had a very good run over there and I was also told that Ron Hopkins actually rang you from Italy to congratulate you is that correct?

Ian: Yes that’s correct he was kind enough to ring after the race and thank me for the effort (pause) which is nice its real nice that’s the kind of people I want to associate and be involved with, mutual respect on both sides like Ron says to me if I doesn’t work he wouldn’t put it on his car!! That in itself shows and is a great endorsement of the fact that he believe in the products and wants it on his car. Another thing I have found with these tyres back to back against the other brands has proved to me that the lap times are there the wear times are there so I think it’s fantastic and happy to be a part of it!

Rube: I know that Werks has plans of breaking into Asia but I’m sure a lot of people “me” especially now I’ve seen them in action are wondering if there are plans to have Werks come and break into the market down under? Not only the tyres but also I hear there are a range of engines planned or near release and other accessories too!

Ian: I’m sure Ron would like a distributor in this country, I don’t think he has gone out and sought one as yet but I think that once the name’s seen around the traps and we start to win races and get a bit of exposure then people will be knocking on his door which is probably the way it should be! As far as I’m concerned if there is anyone out there that is thinking about distribution of the product should go right ahead because they will have a first class product on their hands.

^{Ian and Theo do the old 1-2 & Ian doing as close a driving as anyone ive see up Michael's rear}

Rube: I certainly hope it happens sooner rather than later don’t forget the truggy’s Id like a few sets (Laugh) what about these engines mate they sound very interesting please tell me more!

Ian: (grins) Ill put a good word in!! Yeah their new engines Ron was telling me Marty Corn and Jeremy Quartz from America should be receiving the new engines from Sirio, it’s a “Sirio” based engine with huge power but their engines are being heavily quality controlled to ensure consistent high quality and reliability, I believe they will also have several carburettor options, so there is a lot of promise there no doubt! And I’m very keen to get a hold of that soon. Ron’s promised me I’ll have one very shortly hopefully before my next adventure!! (Big Smiles)

Rube: And what would that next adventure be mate?

Ian: Well while you guys are all preparing for the Victorian State Titles I’ll be in Asia for the GS Cup on the 12^th of November (Bigger Smiles) so Ill be doing some Karaoke with some very nice ladies (Cheshire Grin)

Rube: I’m Sure you will I’ sure you will!! (laughs) One last thing mate after the controversial wing design that was approved to be used at the worlds, everyone has been after it and its all over the forums Himoto and Ian Haley signature series, what’s in the horizon there any new interesting things coming?

^{Another perfect jump over the tabletop!}

Ian: Yeah that wing (grin) the wing is now officially being distributed through Team Cobra so if anyone wants one they should find where their being sold through or contact Angelo at Team Cobra. It was a great design I like it (Grins) I designed it and it’s been endorsed by some of the best drivers in the business Paul Coleman USA, Lewis Tritchard SA, John Augus all top notch drivers here!!

They all put the wings on their car and yeah they liked it a lot! The local drivers Tom and Steve Drygalla are also impressed with the wing so if anyone needs that wing contact Team Cobra racing.

Rube: It doesn’t really get much better than that does it!

Ian: Yeah it doesn’t! (Chuckle) but yes next up in the Haley series I’ve basically finalised the design for a racing AERO Package for your car, it’s a generic thing composed of three or four pieces there that you can bolt straight on to any car so that will get into production within the nest six months. In fact the wing and other components are an evolution of everything we have done, so it will be a good step forward.

^{I have a lot of faith in this car - Ian said!}

Rube: Sounds sensational and I’m sure we will now all be waiting with baited breath on that development!!!

Well Ian what can I say from me and on behalf of all RubedudeRC readers we wish you, Team OCM and Team Werks all the best in the very near future great luck in the GS, I hope you will talk to us again sometime in the future you’re a great sport and from me a very big thank you for this exclusive and please see if Ron will bring his products down under and especially my truggy tyres!! Had to add that one!!

^{Ian and I for one final picture of the day!}

Ian: Rube thank you mate for being so professional and getting us some great exposure and I wish you at RubedudeRc and your readers the very best and take care, we’ll catch up soon enough!! Hooroo!!

Rube: There ya have it folks, the great Ian Haley right here on RubedudeRC.com!!